Barron Cuadro

With clocks on every digital interface we encounter, wristwatches may seem pointless. But the best men’s watches are about more than just telling time.

Much like attention-getting socks or a cheeky monogram inside a suit jacket, the right wristwatch showcases the wearer’s personality in a unique way.

A wristwatch is the one accessory that not only serves a specific purpose, but also stands the test of time. You won’t look at photos of yourself twenty years from now and say, “Oh man, how embarrassing, I can’t believe I’m wearing a watch in this photo!”

Since we’re striving for classic and timeless when possible, you should know a little something about your options before you make a purchase.

So in this guide to the best men’s watches, you’ll learn the design and features that make our recommended timepieces stand out from the crowd.

And since we’re all about dressing smart and sharp no matter the setting, we’ll show you:

parts of a watch (so you know what you’re referring to and talking about)
the best watches for each type of outfit
where each watch fits on the casual / formal spectrum
our top 5 picks for the best watches to add to your wardrobe

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Parts of a Watch
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Watch Movement

Watch movements can be quartz or mechanical, and mechanic movements can be further broken down into manual and automatic.

Let’s dive into each.

Watches with mechanical movements use a set of tiny, intricate gears to release the energy from a wound spring and calculate time based on that energy release. An easy way to spot a mechanical watch is the sweeping motion of the second hand.

Manual mechanical watches require physical rewinding while automatic mechanical movements rewind themselves using the energy created by the wearer’s wrist motion throughout the day.

Quartz watch movements use a battery to send an electric current through a small piece of quartz crystal. That produces vibrations which power the movement of the watch and measure time. You can spot a quartz movement watch easily by the jerky tick of the second hand.

So which is the best watch movement for you? It all depends on your lifestyle and budget.

If you want a budget timepiece for everyday wear, go with a quartz movement. But for an investment-worthy dress watch you want to wear for decades, mechanical is the best watch movement.

Watch Case

A watch case is the main body that houses the movement. If it’s made from or mimics a precious metal (gold, silver, platinum, etc.), there’s a good chance your watch is more on the formal side.

If the watch case parts are made from steel, plastic, or other materials (ceramic, titanium, carbon fiber, etc.), it’s most likely not a formal watch.

A quick note on watch case sizing

Most men’s watch cases are 36mm-50mm in diameter.

Formal and luxury watch cases are typically on the smaller side (36-40mm). Sport-specific, fashion, and casual watches vary in size but are usually larger than formal watches.

Some fashion brands take it a bit too far and look like you’re wearing a wall clock on your wrist. Avoid these.

And keep in mind, the right watch size for you is relative. A 42mm watch may look too large on a 6.5″ wrist, but perfect on an 8.25″ wrist.

That’s why it’s important to measure your wrist and try on a few different watches.

Click to enlarge in new tab

Watch Face and Dial

Stick or Roman numeral indices tend to be found in more formal watches. Arabic numbers appear on more casual watches. Of course, there are exceptions to both.

Is the dial elegant and simple, or does it have multiple functions and complications?

The simpler and more elegant the watch parts, the more formal the watch. The more sport-specific task or feature rich (stopwatch, time zones, depth measurement), the more casual it is.

Watch Strap

The best watch straps vary from style to style. Here’s a simple way to identify which strap will look right with your attire.

Worn-in leather looks better dressed down with jeans than it does with a suit. Thicker, bulkier straps are better with casual outfits, as do nylon straps.
Glossy, slim, and thin leather bands best complement formal attire. They usually look out of place with denim and other casual clothes.
Metal bands can go either way. But if your watch is sport-specific (chronographs, divers, etc.) it’s meant for more casual wear, or that particular sport.
Rubber straps are decidedly sport-specific – save them for time when you’re active.

The 5 Types of Watches
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Dress Watches

Best for

Formal settings

Characteristics

Slim, understated profile
Metal case
Simple watch face
Leather strap
Analog

When attending a formal event – anything from a traditional wedding to a black tie event – a classic and understated men’s dress watch is best.

Your accessories should match the formality of the setting, so a simply styled watch with a light-colored face and black leather strap is perfect. (It goes without saying that your leather shoes and belt should also be black.)

For “dressy casual” or business casual situations when you’re still in a suit and / or tie, a similar watch with brown leather band would fit the bill.

While it’s possible to get by with an all-purpose wristwatch in most instances, there’s something special about having one specifically for formal or special business occasions.

Fashion Watches

Best for

Casual, smart casual, and professional settings

Characteristics

Larger case
Metal or leather bracelet
Activity specific features built-in to the watch face
Analog

Metal fashion watches can be used in a variety of casual situations. They combine form and function in a way that speaks to your personal style.

Fashion watches aren’t right for formal settings, but they can work with just about any other situation. For example, I have a Gucci Pantheon steel watch. It works just as well casually with jeans and a T-shirt as it does in a professional setting when I’m wearing a suit.

Want a fashion or sports watch that’s just as flexible? In that case, the best men’s watches for you will have understated designs and unadorned watch faces.

Activity-specific fashion watches have built-in features that are purpose driven. For example, diving watches are built to withstand underwater pressure. Pilot watches have large, easy-to-read numerals and dials.

But you don’t have to be a pilot, diver, or race car driver to enjoy watches that are specifically built and designed for these activities. It comes down to preference, so just make sure you’re wearing it in the right situations–in this case, not to a formal event.

Sport Watches

Best for

Active/Sports settings

Characteristics

Large but lightweight
Rubber or nylon straps
Sport-specific features built in to the watch face
Digital or analog

Sport watches are fun to have when you’re working out, playing sports, or being active. They’re lightweight, can take a beating, an are easy to clean up after a sweaty game or workout.

These watches have built-in features like timers (or chronographs if analog), water resistance (for diving and swimming), backlit screens or dials (for nighttime use), compasses, and altimeters.

Because of their strap material, large faces, and plethora of features, these watches are very activity specific. They’re best worn only when doing something active – they’re totally wrong for formal settings and can sometimes even be overkill for a casual outfit.

Casual Watches

Best for

Everyday wear, casual settings

Characteristics

Smaller watch face
Metal casing
Nylon, leather, or metal strap
Affordable

These are the best men’s watches for when you’re not going anywhere in particular and you don’t need a special watch for the occasion. Think situations like low-key weekends, running errands, seeing a movie, etc.

Since these watches are daily wearers, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a more affordable option if restricted by budget. You can find stylish men’s casual watches with leather, nylon, or metal straps in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and designs.

Smart Watches

Best for

Everyday wear, sports/fitness, professional settings

Characteristics

Large touchscreen face
Interchangeable straps

Smartwatches represent the modern marriage of fashion and technology. For that reason, it’s hard to pin them down into one category or degree of formality. In most cases, you can fit a smartwatch into one of the above categories and style them similarly. Consider these three factors before you head out wearing a smartwatch:

Design. A GPS running or fitness watch is activity specific and should be worn much like a sports watch. An Apple Watch with productivity apps you use while working will fit into both casual and professional settings.

Strap. Sports-focused smartwatches often come with rubber straps, so wear them as you would any other sports watch. In the case of multi-use smartwatches with interchangeable straps (like the Apple Watch), make sure the strap you choose fits the setting. Rubber for sports, nylon for casual, and metal or leather for smart or business casual.

Watch face. Fitness smartwatches typically have large digital displays that give them a casual look and feel that’s hard to dress up. Other smartwatches have optional displays, including analog-style faces. Those are best for smart casual and business settings.

Best Men’s Dress Watches
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Here are the factors we look for when choosing the best men’s dress watches:

Case: Relatively thin and made from steel or precious metal.
Strap: Leather or some type of exotic animal hide, sometimes metal.
Face/Dial: Simple stick or roman dial with light-colored, neutral, unadorned details.
Movement: Mechanical in luxury watches, quartz in less expensive options.

Best Everyday Men’s Watches
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The perfect everyday watch is classically styled, not too sporty, and can still be worn with a blazer. At the same time, it can’t look so dressy that it feels out of place with denim.

Most of all, it can’t be so expensive or fragile that you’d be scared to scratch it up or break it. After all, you want to be able to wear this watch in just about any circumstances.

Your perfect everyday watch, much like your perfect Lean Wardrobe, will depend on your preferences, lifestyle, and budget. Here are a few that you may like, or at the very least, a few that will incite you to explore more and find one on your own.

Everything You Need to Know To Buy Your Next Watch

Let’s talk about what looks best with your skin color.

Color and complexion are pretty important topics we haven’t discussed much here.

This seems to be monumentally important to the ladies when they apply makeup, which makes sense when you’re basically coloring your face.

I doubt guys give it much thought; to be honest, I hardly do either. But if you’re spending time picking out some nice clothes to wear, why not take that extra step to pick colors that look best with your skin tone?

There are plenty of ways to determine the optimal color palette for your skin tone, but it really doesn’t have to be complicated.

If we men follow a few simple pointers, we should be okay.

“Do these colors go together?”

In this video, I’m giving you 5 easy tips for matching your outfit. These are tips you can use right now, and they’re super simple to remember.

And yeah, I tell you why you shouldn’t worry too much about skin tone when getting dressed. Just follow the tips in the video.

By the way, are you subscribed to Effortless Gent on YouTube? If not, you should be 😉

How To Find Colors That Look Good On You

Believe it or not, color is a hard thing to get wrong, and luckily for guys, it doesn’t matter that much anyway. There’s a set of colors I call #menswearNeutrals that works great for all guys.

As far as the chart I put together (see below), there’s a good chance you may not have the exact coloring of any of these examples, and that’s fine. Just choose someone who matches closest. And if you’re in between two guys’ skin complexion, you can wear colors (and avoid colors) assigned to both of them.

Just keep in mind that most colors look fine on everyone, and you can’t really go wrong.

This list isn’t scientifically proven, so use it as a general guideline, and deviate when necessary. Remember that none of this is set in stone with no exceptions; it’s important for you to try stuff and see what looks good on you.

Some things to remember off the bat:

If you have a lighter, paler complexion, avoid stark black and white
If you have a medium complexion, the primary and bold colors will suit you well
If you’re a darker skin tone, you have more freedom with whites and pastels than most

Assuming you can remember those basic rules, you’ll be good, but let’s see if we can dig a bit deeper.

Not sure which colors look best on you?

Grab our Contrast Cheat Sheet, free!

I like spam musubi, but not SPAM email. You’ll receive the Contrast Cheat Sheet, plus a great style email at least 1x a week. No funny business, unsubscribe any time.

Dress for your skin tone

Looking for the large PDF? Click here to download (right click > Save As…)

If your complexion closely resembles Conan O’Brien, focus on warm khaki colors, peach tones, teals, red, bright blues and greens.

Try to avoid: Black and white. The stark contrast is too much for your skin and will only accentuate the lack of color.

Let’s say you have the coloring of Justin Timberlake. Pastels look best on you. Think baby blue, light pink, lavender, pale yellow. Neutrals also look good on you, such as a lighter beige and heather gray.

Try to avoid: Really striking or primary colors. Also, too much deep, dark color can wash you out. Stay away from all black or all navy.

If you have more olive or tan skin like Adrian Grenier, try warm colors such as rich browns, orange-yellow, olive green, deep reds, and purples.

Try to avoid: White and black, pastels, any kind of faded color. These don’t work well with your complexion.

Lastly, let’s say you have a complexion like Will Smith. Dark colors look great on you like black, dark gray, and navy. Rich, deep colors also look good. Think emerald green, sapphire blue, royal purple. Bright white and pastel colors look great as well.

Try to avoid: Earthy tones and washed out colors; these don’t do anything for you.

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How to Use Contrast to Create Kick-Ass Clothing Combinations

Four Colors That Look Good On Everyone

There are four colors that are “universally flattering”, regardless of your skin tone. These colors are Eggplant, True Red, Indian Teal, and Mellow Rose.

Kinda weird names, I know. But look at the photos of the women below. All different complexions, but none of them look sickly or pale when wearing these colors.

images via real simple

How would guys wear these colors?

Easiest way would be to pick one item of clothing in one of these colors, and keep everything else in your outfit neutral. #menswearNeutrals! (Watch this video if you don’t know what menswear neutrals are).

So for example, Indian Teal and Eggplant (or similar variants) would look great as sweaters.

True red? Try a Polo shirt. Mellow rose is basically a light pink / peach color, so try a dressy button-up under a blazer. As long as you find something in between those two hues, you’re good.

Did this help you figure out which colors work best for you?

If not, how can I be more helpful? Let’s chat about it on Twitter or tag me in some photos on Instagram.

This is one of EG’s most popular posts, originally published April 21, 2011, and was last updated December 22, 2018 (added video resource and more information to all sections).

photo via

Choose The Best Clothing Colors For Your Skin Tone

Have you ever wondered what to wear with light brown, tan, or cognac colored leather shoes?

Dark brown shoes, easy, Black leather shoes, easy… but what about light brown?

I personally love that light brown / tan leather color for shoes, and today, I’ll show you which pants look best with this color leather shoe.

I’ll also show you one option that looks great, but that you’d never expect… and also a few pants colors to AVOID wearing with tan leather shoes.

By the way, all the tan leather shoes I’m using as examples today are from Ace Marks. In case you haven’t come across Ace Marks yet, they’re known for their high-end leather dress shoes and sneakers in both classic and unique color combos.

Super premium, really beautiful shoes.

Each shoe is made from full-grain calfskin both inside and out.

Everything is handcrafted, hand-dyed, and hand-burnished by a family-run company of 4th-generation master craftsmen.

These craftsmen also do work for really high-end brands whose shoes sell north of $600, so you know you’re getting a great deal in terms of materials and build quality when you buy Ace Marks shoes.

Ace Marks Leather Shoes and Sneakers Price: starting at $199

So check out these pairs and everything else they offer! Also, if you decide to pick up a pair (or three) make sure you use code AMBF at checkout. There will be a special discount especially for you since you’re an EG reader 😉

So let’s get into the combos, shall we?

Prefer video?

I put together a video for our YouTube channel with all these shoe and pant combinations. Check it out below.

Pants #1: Dark denim or navy chinos

A deep dark blue with tan leather shoes is a classic, no-fail combo. Not only can you wear navy chinos, but dark denim as well.

In fact any denim with a medium blue wash or darker will look great.

So whether you pick up this pair or already have a pair of your own, medium to dark denim will look sharp when paired together.

As far as what to wear up top? Don’t let the tan leather color throw you. You can pretty much wear anything you’d normally wear with dark blue denim, weather that’s a white OCBD, grey T-shirt, red and black buffalo check flannel, even a chambray… it’s hard to go wrong.

Pants #2: Medium grey chinos

Medium to dark grey (charcoal) with tan leather shoes is another color combo that looks great.

But, to be honest, these shades of grey look good with all colors. In this case, it really lets that tan color pop.

As far as the rest of the outfit, just make sure your shirt looks good with medium grey / charcoal, which is hard to get wrong since grey matches with all your other colors.

Pants #3: White jeans

White denim or chinos and tan loafers are practically my uniform in the summer.

I love this combo for warm weather dressing, or when I’m traveling to a more tropical locale. I usually wear this with a blue chambray or a navy or olive linen shirt.

Similar to your dark blue denim or grey chinos, practically any shirt will look great with this white / tan combo. Feel free to experiment with brighter, more vibrant colors up top (like a red polo or your favorite floral print short sleeve shirt).

Pants Choice #4: Burgundy / green chinos or cords

Want an awesome look for the colder months? Go with a burgundy or dark green corduroy with a tan chukka or Chelsea boot.

Olive or army green also works well, but for winter or the holidays, that deep, rich, dark green looks extra awesome. The richness of the tan leather will go nicely with the deep burgundy tone as well.

Jewel tones and more deep, rich colors look great in the winter. Just think of a typical tartan plaid scarf with navy and green, red and yellow. When you pair that scarf up with a menswear neutral like an olive green or grey, those colors pop! Same goes for burgundy and dark green.

With burgundy or dark green pants, I’d wear something simple up top. Maybe a white shirt, light grey, light blue, or camel.

Pants Choice #5: Black jeans

You might think you can’t wear a brown shoe with a pair of black pants, but you’d be wrong!

Tan leather especially can look really sharp and interesting with black pants. The Chelseas above are a great example. I would definitely rock these with black denim all day.

The only time the “black with black, brown with brown” rule applies is when you’re wearing a suit. If you have a black suit on, you should avoid dark brown leather shoes. That would be weird.

But don’t be afraid to experiment with black and brown in your casual outfits. You can go with a really inky pair of dark black denim, or something washed and slightly faded.

Up top, you have as much freedom as you do with a pair of dark blue denim. I’d wear a chambray shirt or maybe something in a fall tone like burgundy or dark green.

Avoid These Pants with Tan Leather Shoes

There are a few colors that don’t look so great with tan leather. Really, it will depend on the shade of tan / cognac you have.

Just keep in mind contrast. You want contrast between your pants color and the color of leather.

Avoid medium khaki / tan pants

If the contrast is too low, it doesn’t look great. Plus this look is too matchy matchy and kinda dorky looking.

But if you can go either a bit lighter with the pants, or a bit darker with the shoes, then that contrast looks much better.

Avoid light grey pants with loafers

Same thing: the lack of contrast doesn’t work that well here. It’s not terrible, but it’s not… great.

When you compare it to a slightly tweaked version with a bit more contrast, doesn’t that look much better?

So, tell me…

What’s your favorite color pants to wear with tan leather shoes? Tweet me »

These are the shoes I used as examples in this post and the video:

Ace Marks Leather Shoes and Sneakers Price: starting at $199

What To Wear With Brown Shoes: Matching Pants to Light Brown, Tan, or Cognac Leather

So you want to know how to match your belt to your outfit.

Most people will tell you, “brown shoes, brown belt… black shoes, black belt” which IS true. But is that really the whole story?

What if you’re not wearing black or brown shoes?
What if you are wearing white sneakers, do you have to wear a white belt?
Or with a casual outfit, do you have to match your shoes and belt exactly?

In this article, I’m gonna answer all those questions and give you guidelines to follow so going forward, you won’t be confused about how to match your belt with your outfit (or your shoes… really, it depends).

Let’s get started, yeah?

“Should you match your belt with your pants or shoes?”

OK, so there are some basic rules that you’d be wise to follow. Let’s get those out of the way first.

Black with black, brown with brown

When you’re dressing formally (meaning suit and tie):

Match your (leather) belt with your (leather) shoes
Black leather shoes? Black leather belt.
Brown leather shoes? Brown leather belt.
Sometimes shades of brown differ, but get as close as you can

Those are the basics for matching your belt and your shoes. Again, this applies to formal (dressy) situations, i.e. wearing a suit and tie.

If you want the down and dirty details about matching your belt to your shoes, check out the article I put together. This is basically THE definitive guide to matching your belt and shoes.

BTW, these are the exact belts I wear 99.7% of the time

Quick shout out to Anson Belt & Buckle for partnering with me on this informative article. I discovered them a few years back and, no joke, it’s the only belt I wear (and no, I’m not just saying that either).

I have 6 Anson belts in different colors: all varieties of brown, black, grey canvas, even the camo canvas one!

Definitely give Anson a try. Once you do, I guarantee you won’t go back to regular belts with holes. The microadjustability is on point and you’ll always feel perfectly comfortable.

Anson Belt Box Set Price: $99.95 Your choice of 3 straps and 2 buckles, or vice versa!

The $99 box set above (3 straps and 2 buckles, or 2 straps and 3 buckles) is the best value. All the belts you see as examples in this article are available on the the site.

They’re continually adding new colors and materials so you’re certain to find the exact color and style you need! Build your box set here.

Matching Your Belt to Your Casual Outfits

Great, so we established that when dressed formally, figuring out which belt to wear is easy.

What about for casual outfits? Or when you’re not wearing brown or black shoes? What kind of belt do you wear then?

And what kind of belt material is best for a casual outfit?

All great questions. Let’s get into it.

How to choose the right belt for your shoes and outfit: 3 Guidelines

Keep these 3 guidelines in mind when you’re dressing casually and trying to figure out what belt to wear, or how to match it.

When dressing casually, match your belt to your outfit as a whole
Any shoes or outfits on the black / white scale (white shoes, light grey shoes, dark grey shoes, black shoes) go with a black belt
Any shoes or outfits with dark and vibrant tones (navy, dark green, dark purple), or warm, fall tones (brown, burgundy, tan / cognac, rust orange, mustard yellow) go with a brown belt

As you can tell, the rules of matching your belt to your shoes (or belt matching in general) aren’t as strict with casual outfits.

It’s more important that your belt looks great with the complete outfit.

In general, after considering your outfit as a whole, guidelines #2 and #3 should cover most of the bases.

Black casual leather Anson belt with white, grey, and black sneakers

If you’re wearing black shoes, 99.9% of the time, you will wear a black belt.

And in most cases, if you’re wearing white shoes or grey shoes, a black belt will work fine, too. (Guideline #2… keep up!)

Brown casual leather Anson belt with white sneakers and a casual outfit with warm / fall tones

If your outfit has lots of warm or fall tones, choose a brown belt, even if you’re wearing white or grey shoes (this is Guideline #3).

Brown casual leather Anson belt with burgundy chukkas and a casual outfit with darker tones

And obviously, if your shoes are in that family of warm / fall tones, you would wear a brown belt.

The key to always matching your belts, shoes, and outfits perfectly? Understanding menswear neutrals

“Menswear neutrals” is a concept I go into more depth on in our program, Smart Sharp Style, but essentially, it’s a set of clothing colors that go well with each other, as well as with any other color in your wardrobe.

All the menswear neutral colors

So the menswear neutrals are: Black, white, all shades of grey, tan / khaki, olive, light blue, and navy. Your base wardrobe should be made up of clothes in these colors.

Of course, your wardrobe can have other colors in it, but for your basics and your essentials? They should be in these colors.

Why?

Because as I said, they go with every other color, as well as each other, effortlessly!

Every menswear neutral (first row) easily matches every other menswear neutral color.

So if you’re wearing an outfit full of menswear neutrals, simply follow the 3 guidelines I pointed out above and you’ll be just fine.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to match colors in your clothing, you should check out this video:

How to wear belts that are NOT black or brown

Anson’s colorful fabric belts (Build your own box set)

Maybe you have a belt in olive or navy, or maybe it’s a multi-colored belt… how would you match these to your outfit?

First, consider the concept of menswear neutrals in the previous section. If your outfit is made up of mostly menswear neutrals, and your belt is a menswear neutral, it will work together.

Next, consider Guideline #1 that I mentioned a few paragraphs up in this article. You want to match the belt to your outfit as a whole.

Then, think about Guidelines #2 and #3 to determine if you should go with brown, or black, or some other color.

Even if your belt is the one standout piece in your outfit, maybe it’s a crazy color that isn’t a menswear neutral… that’s fine! It will work.

Example of a menswear-neutral outfit with colorful Anson belts. Any of these belts can work!

If you have a multi-colored belt, such as the blue and red striped belt, you want to make sure your outfit is primarily made up of menswear neutrals. If you’re wearing too many colors and prints, adding a multi-colored belt will surely look terrible unless done perfectly.

What color belt do I wear with…

Finally, in this section, I want to fire off quick answers to the specific belt-matching questions I get most frequently.

Here we go:

What color belt with blue shoes?

Brown belt, but consider the colors of your outfit as a whole. (i.e. If your outfit is black, white, and blue shoes, you would wear a black belt.)

What color belt with grey pants?

Brown, unless you’re wearing all monochrome (black, grey, and white). In this case, wear a black belt.

What color belt with white shoes?

Any color. Match the belt you choose to your outfit.

What color belt with black pants?

Black belt. If you want to wear a colorful belt, consider the colors of your outfit as a whole.

What color belt with gray shoes?

Black belt. Brown or colorful belts are fine too, but consider the colors of your outfit as a whole.

What color belt with blue pants?

Brown belt, but consider the colors of your outfit as a whole. (i.e. If your outfit is black shoes, white shirt, and blue pants, for example… you would wear a black belt.)

Hope this article helps answer all your belt matching questions!

Most important thing to keep in mind is this: With casual looks, match your belt to your whole outfit, not just your shoes.

That goes for whether it’s a brown belt, a black belt, or a multi-colored fabric belt. For casual outfits, or casual shoes, make sure the belt matches the complete outfit.

Anson Belt Box Set Price: $99.95 Your choice of 3 straps and 2 buckles, or vice versa!

Don’t forget to check out the belts at Anson Belt & Buckle! I suggest grabbing a box set with a dark brown leather, black leather, and saddle tan leather strap, for starters.

Or, if you want to be more adventurous, they have a ton of different colors in canvas and nylon as well. Check them all out by clicking the button above!

Questions? Tweet at me!

How to Match Your Belt With Your Outfit (Easy To Follow Guidelines)

Are you trying to establish a grooming routine or a skin care regimen, but you’re not exactly sure where to start?

In this article, I’ll be unboxing the Starter Kit from Brickell Men’s Products, a popular all-natural line of grooming products designed for men, one I’ve been using for years, and I’ll show you everything that comes inside.

So if you’re looking to start a skin care or grooming routine you can actually stick to, you’ll love the samples in this Starter Kit.

Prefer a video unboxing?

I also shot a video walking you through each product in Brickell’s Starter Kit. Check it out below (just click play):

What you should know up front about Brickell’s Starter Kit

Let’s get a few things clear:

This is NOT a subscription box, and there is no monthly fee
It is FREE (meaning $0), you just cover the $6.95 for shipping
The Starter Kit comes with 17 samples of their best selling and most popular products
It also comes with a $10 off code that applies to your first purchase (you effectively get your $6.95 back here)
Each sample lasts 1-2 weeks, plenty of time to test each product out

Needless to say, if you’re looking to establish a simple skin care and grooming routine, this is the place to get started.

Brickell Men's Products Starter Kit Price: Free, $6.95 shipping Each kit includes an assortment of 17 trial bottles, jars, and deluxe sample packets from our best selling skin care, shave, hair care, and anti aging products.

The best part about the Brickell Starter Kit is that you get to sample all the essentials and pick and choose the products you want to use in your routine without having to shell out for full-sized products that you end up not using.

By the way, all Brickell products are natural and organic, nothing toxic or synthetic, and you can choose from scented or unscented versions of their products.

I’m sure you already know the benefits of taking care of your hair and skin, and using good products with natural ingredients is super important and will pay off down the road.

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The Truth About Natural Skin Care Products: What To Use And What To Avoid

I’ve been using their stuff since 2014, mostly their two face washes and their daily moisturizer. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know the company and the people behind the brand and I’m honored to have them partner with me on this article.

They were also kind enough to send over a few Starter Kits so I could show you what comes inside.

What comes in Brickell’s Starter Kit?

First off, the inserts. One encourages you to share the Starter Kit and for every friend that orders one, you’ll receive $10 off your next purchase. Awesome.

The second is simply a Quick Start Guide; if you’re unsure how to use any of the products or what they do, this guide will answer all your questions.

In the first row of bottles, we have:

Daily Strengthening Shampoo: this has a combo of natural ingredients that help make your hair stronger and fuller, make your hair shiny, and prevent any irritation and dry skin.

All-in-One Body Wash: This is what I’d use if I were in a rush. It’s designed to be gentle yet effective enough to work for your hair, body, and face, and you won’t have to worry about your skin feeling dried out or irritated after.

Clarifying Gel Face Wash and Purifying Charcoal Face Wash:

The Clarifying Gel Face Wash is recommended for normal to oily skin
The Purifying Charcoal Face Wash is best for dry or sensitive skin

I personally use the Charcoal Face Wash more, but both work great and my skin never feels dry when using them.

YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE, TOO

A Daily Men’s Skin Care Routine You’ll Actually Follow

Daily Essential Face Moisturizer: I love this stuff; I use it every day. It does a good job of moisturizing the skin without feeling oily or heavy. My skin absorbs it fast and leaves my face feeling hydrated.

It’s perfect for using right after you wash your face with the gel or charcoal face wash.

Instant Relief After Shave: This after shave is fast absorbing with no alcohol (and no burning). Instead you get that cooling, soothing, hydrated feeling when you apply right after shaving.

On to the first row of tubs:

First up we have the Balancing Toner: You can use this first thing in the morning or even throughout the day. This literally helps balance out your skin tone by reducing shine and minimizing pores.

Renewing Face Scrub: Not totally sure how this differs from a face wash. I’d say it’s the same, but better, since it has little scrubbies in it to help remove the oil and dead skin from your face.

I personally prefer face washes with scrubbies. It feels like you get a better clean after a few circular motions and a quick rinse with water.

Smooth Brushless Shave Cream: To be honest, I probably won’t use this since I don’t razor shave all that often. But based on what I’ve read, you don’t need a brush and it isn’t meant to lather up like your usual shaving creams.

Simply apply this like you would a regular moisturizer and shave with a clean, sharp blade. Simple and effective!

YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE, TOO

How To Age Like A Fine Wine, Not A Leather Belt

Charcoal Face Mask: This helps extract all the bacteria, oil, and gunk in your pores without drying out your skin.

Just apply a smooth even layer of this stuff over your face (make sure to avoid your eyes and mouth!). Let dry for about 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly until it’s all gone.

Reviving Day Serum: This helps keep your skin’s elasticity and firmness so you stay looking young. You can apply it once in the morning and you should be good all day.

Finally, the last row of tubs:

Repairing Night Serum: This works in the same way as the day serum. It also reduces inflammation, age spots, and the Vitamin C decreases any sun damage, all while you sleep!

Revitalizing Anti Aging Cream: This helps to minimize any fine lines and wrinkles by firming, tightening, and hydrating the skin. There’s a natural ingredient called DMAE that helps the underlying face muscles to contract, which tightens up the skin.

Basically, the skin is affected by atrophying muscles and if the muscles are active, the skin is less likely to fold and wrinkle.

Sounds crazy, but hey it’s in the sample kit, give it a shot and see if you like it 🙂

Revitalizing Hair Conditioner: The conditioner works much the same way as the strengthening shampoo and also gives your hair a naturally fuller feeling and shinier finish.

Restoring Eye Balm: This is the good stuff! I definitely need more of this. This helps brighten the skin around the eye, eliminate wrinkles and lines, hydrates, and reduces puffiness.

Lift the main panel in the starter kit to find more samples:

Beard Oil: Unfortunately I can’t use the Beard Oil, seeing as though I don’t have a beard, but according to Brickell, the oils help to soften the hair and condition the skin underneath. It’ll restore the hairs’ luster and sooth the skin.

All good stuff, so if you have a beard, it’s definitely worth trying out.

Deep Moisture Body Lotion: This is perfect for dry skin on all levels. It contains shea butter and aloe vera, and it really hydrates the skin and absorbs nicely as you apply it.

Get your Starter Kit from Brickell, free!

Well, that’s everything that comes in the Starter Kit. Remember, they are giving these out for FREE, just cover the $6.95 shipping and handling fee.

The best thing about the kit is that no matter if you want better skin, thicker hair, fewer lines and wrinkles, or a smoother shave, you’ll have the perfect product for you in here.

Brickell Men’s Products Starter Kit Unboxing (Free Grooming and Skin Care Samples)

Military-inspired menswear has always been prevalent in the fashion scene. Take one look at current style trends – it’s having yet another moment in the spotlight.

In that spirit, let’s explore the most iconic pieces – including military jackets.

Editor’s note: While we go through each style, we will also provide you with a range of models to choose from. Ones that are more “OG”, some a modern take on the original, and of course, “grail” pieces (ones you may need to spend a bit more on). Enjoy!

Field Jackets

Before we go too far, a little background on the numbers you see attached to these field jackets. Rather than a random product number, this number actually refers to the year that specific garment became standard issue.

In this first case, ‘M-51’ indicates that the style was released in 1951. Simple enough!

The M-51 Field Jacket

The M-51, along with the M-65 (discussed next) is what most likely comes to mind when you think of classic men’s military jacket. It’s iconic, and for good reason.

Made from a midweight canvas, the M-51 is most commonly found in olive green. Its shirt-jacket style collar lends itself to more casual settings than the M-65.

The M-51 is usually seen sans hood, although one was included, which buttoned on to the jacket collar. You’ll notice other details like:

4 pouch pockets
Removable liner
Snap closure
Button cuffs

The OG

While a lot of the M- issued military jackets are still made by Alpha Industries, they don’t carry the M-51. You’ll have to scour vintage stores or eBay to find something truly authentic.

The Modern Take

J. Crew Cotton Field Jacket Price: $150

This interpretation of the M-51 by J. Crew keeps the vintage look of the original military jacket, but with a trimmed down fit, cotton fabric, and a few stylish details.

The Grail

Mr. P Field Jacket Price: $525

I’m not sure if there is one go-to ‘splurge’ for an M-51. But if you’re going for high-fashion, look no further than this version from Mr. Porter.

The M-65 Field Jacket

The M-65 was created as an upgrade to the M-51 field jacket. It keeps many of the same characteristics, but with a few key changes.

The color is usually classic ‘army’ olive green and it comes with four pouch pockets.

Apart from the hood, big changes were made to the collar. It became a stand collar rather than a pointed shirt collar. The button cuffs and collar closures were replaced with velcro fasteners.

As indicated by the name, the M-65 was released in 1965 and then widely used by American troops through the Vietnam war.

Over the years, the M-65 army jacket has been featured on the backs of pop culture icons, the most memorable of which was Robert DeNiro as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver.

The OG

Alpha M-65 Field Coat Price: $225

The original supplier of a wide variety of U.S. military gear, Alpha Industries, is still pumping these bad boys out for the general public today (now offered in both a slim and standard fit).

The Modern Take

J. Crew Field Mechanic Jacket Price: $198

Even the Alpha Industries ‘slim fit’ version tends to be oversized. If you want something truly slim and modern, the J.Crew version is the way to go.

The Grail

Belstaff Roadmaster Price: $795

This black waxed cotton version from Belstaff does not disappoint. They’ve done some incredible work transforming vintage military jackets into edgy “rock star” pieces.

Flight Jackets

Alright, quick disclaimer: While I had that fun fact regarding the numbering on field jackets, the numbering (and lettering) on flight jackets remains a bit of a mystery to me.

If I have any enlisted readers or military enthusiasts, please feel free to fill me in via the comments!

Regardless, flight jackets are some of my favorite military jackets. And lucky me, they’re definitely having a moment in modern men’s fashion.

A-2 Flight Jacket

While there was an A-1 predecessor, many consider the A-2 to be the definitive style of American flight jacket.

Introduced as standard issue to Air Force pilots in 1931, this jacket was originally very hard to come by for any non-air crewmen. As such, it was worn with intense pride by pilots. They would often add patches and other embellishments to signify accomplishments, camaraderie, and rank.

After being discontinued in 1943 in favor of newer cloth-shell jackets, the style became popular among the general public. Still, truly accurate replicas or vintage originals are rare and expensive.

The jacket itself is distinguished by a leather shell with a lightweight silk or cotton lining, a shirting-style collar, and knitted ribbing at the cuffs and waist.

Additionally, they have a flap pocket on either side of the chest. But no hand-warmer pockets – they were considered too undisciplined for military personnel. Today, these details vary model-to-model, but the silhouette remains a winning classic amongst military jackets.

The OG

Rough Wear A-2 Flight Jacket Price: £1,099

One of the original manufacturers, Rough Wear, can still be found at a few outlets like British suppliers Eastman Leathers.

The Modern Take

All Saints Aviator Coat Price: $585

The shearling collar stands out as a modern touch to this All Saints jacket that’s otherwise steeped in the original style.

The Grail

Our Legacy Shearling Bomber Jacket Price: $1,700

This impressive jacket by Our Legacy has the luxurious details it takes to stand out – and it’s built to last.

MA-1 Bomber

The MA-1 Bomber is another iconic military style jacket that you’re sure to recognize and see everywhere.

The MA-1 was originally created as a response to the development of jet aircraft. Since they flew higher and faster, they subjected pilots to colder conditions. The MA-1 wouldn’t freeze if it got wet like previous leather iterations (like the A-2).

Additionally, the new jet cockpits were much smaller. Previous men’s military jacket styles were too bulky and stiff to be comfortably mobile.

After replacing the leather with a nylon or polyester shell, the MA-1 was cut waist-length with the same knit ribbing around the cuffs and waist. Instead of a shirting style collar, the MA-1 utilizes more knit ribbing around the neck. And it includes hand-warmer pockets along with a signature pocket along the bicep of one sleeve.

Popular in civilian fashion since the 70’s, the MA-1 bomber military jacket has seen a resurgence thanks to it’s heavy use by high fashion designer Helmut Lang. And – more recently – it’s been adopted into street style by celebrities like Kanye West and A$AP Rocky.

The OG

Alpha M-1 Flight Jacket Price: $150

The classic by Alpha Industries is still going strong today.

The Modern Take

Schott NYCA MA-1 Flight Jacket Price: $155

Like all things leather, Schott makes some of the best – and they’re cheaper than finding something vintage.

The Grail

Rag & Bone Manston Nylon Bomber Jacket Price: $595

This jacket from Rag & Bone gets it right – the balance between OG and modern, the sleek look, and the classic details.

Naval Coats

The Duffle Coat

The term ‘Duffle Coat’ has come to indicate a distinct style. But the name originally referred to the specific type of fabric used, a thick wool developed in Duffel, Belgium.

Now you can find duffle coats made from a wide variety of fabrics – though usually still wool-based. And the defining characteristics have become the toggle closures. They’re fashioned from wood or horn fastened to rope or leather loops. Most duffle coats are hooded, thigh-length and feature a more boxy fit.

The OG

Gloverall Monty Duffle Coat Price: £450

Originally a British creation, Gloverall took up production after acquiring a boat-load of surplus originals issued to the British Royal Navy during WWI and WWII – and they continue to make one of the best models out there.

The Modern Take

Uniqlo Wool-Blend Duffle Coat Price: $129

Japanese brand Uniqlo took the Gloverall original, clipped the sides, replaced the wood and rope closures with horn and leather, and gave it a price that is much easier on the wallet.

The Grail

For the duffle coat, it’s all about the OG version! Doesn’t get better than the original, in my humble opinion.

The Pea Coat

Like the duffle coat, the pea coat is a staple of naval wear. It originated within the British Royal Navy and was later adapted by their American counterparts. Mentions of the garment appeared in American newspapers as early as the 1720’s.

The pea coat is crafted from similar (if not identical) fabric and designed for the same function as the duffle coat. So the differences lie in the details.

Pea coats are characterized by a double-breasted closure, with broad lapels and shorter length. Knee-length options do exist – they’re usually referred to as an ‘officer’s coat’, named for their use in the uniforms of high-ranking naval officials.

As for the origin of the name, opinions differ. Many attribute it to an abbreviation of ‘Pilot-Cloth’ (which pea coats were often made of in their early forms) to ‘P-Cloth’ and then to ‘P-Coat.’

The OG

Sterlingwear of Boston Authentic Peacoat Price: $295

Today, Sterlingwear of Boston is the official supplier of pea coats to American naval forces.

The Modern Take

Ok, this is a cop out, but the pea coat can be found at practically every modern menswear brand, from J.Crew to Bonobos to Club Monaco and everyone in between.

The Grail

Todd Snyder + Private White Manchester Pea Coat Price: $895

For something more ‘lux’, look no further than this version from Todd Snyder + Private White V.C. and embellished with a swaggy fur collar.

The Crew Coat

The N-3B Snorkel Parka

This one goes to show you: You never know it all!

Here I was, thinking that the N-3B parka discussed below had to be either a ground troop or maybe even a naval issue. But my research into military jackets proved me wrong.

The snorkel parka was intended for flight crews. Those were the folks manning the runways in frigid weather.

The N-3B Parka is characterized by a ¾ length (at mid-thigh), a weatherproof shell, and an insulating liner. Originally, the shell was nylon with a wool liner. Later iterations moved to a cotton/nylon blend shell and a padded polyester lining that’s warmer and lighter weight.

The truly defining characteristic is the hood. It’s fully attached with a high collar closure – when fully closed, the hood leaves only a small tunnel or ‘snorkel’ for the wearer to see out of. This, along with a fur lining (real fur on the vintage and quality modern versions) make this military jacket a real weapon against the cold.

The OG

Alpha N-3B Parka Price: $200

Again, Alpha Industries takes the cake as the original military supplier.

The Modern Take

J. Crew Parka Price: $400

Water resistant, lightly insulated, and warm, this J. Crew parka is both stylish and functional for the cold, wet weather.

The Grail

Parajumpers Right Hand Waterproof Jacket Price: $1,125

I love that this Parajumpers parka is built for warmth on the coldest of days but can still turn heads on city streets thanks to its grail worthy touches – like that coyote fur trim.

So, which military jacket do I get?

First, consider the temperature. All of the military jackets above give pretty decent protection from the elements. But there’s variation in how that protection is provided. The best way to think about it is to look at who they were originally intended for.

Field jackets were given to ground troops of all types – they’re the most versatile style.

In civilian life, I’d stick to these for transitional seasons and milder climates. They’ll be generally wind and water resistant, with a medium level of insulation. That makes these military jackets great for a Northeastern fall day. Or for year-round use in a city like San Francisco. But probably not the best pick for surviving a Chicago blizzard.

Flight jackets tend to offer more insulation since they are meant to withstand the pretty-darn-cold temps inside the cabins of airborne fighter jets.

That said, they are also cropped. That’s useful for pilots – it doesn’t get in the way of the seating positions and allows more in-flight mobility. But it’s also less useful for keeping your legs and butt warm and dry.

For that reason, I’d be more likely to opt for a flight jacket if I’m living in a car-prevalent city, rather than one where I’m doing a lot of walking.

Naval jackets, designed for nautical use, are the warmest of the bunch here.

Pea coats and duffle coats are often made from Melton Wool, a thick fabric known for its durability, wind resistance, and water resistance. Parkas typically combine a protective shell with a decent amount of toasty-warm down filling.

Duffle coats and parkas really take the cake over pea coats, if only for the inclusion of a hood.

Along with that, you’ll want to consider your personal style.

How to Wear and Style Military Jackets

While every coat and jacket listed here comes from a military background, they each have a distinct style.

Field coats, while issued in large quantities to new recruits, come across as more rebellious than regimental. Over the years, they’ve been worn just as notably by military and counterculture representatives.

Bomber jackets carry some rock-star ‘cool’ edge. Leather iterations bringing to mind bad-boys on motorcycles. And thanks to Kanye West (an influential style icon, regardless of your personal feelings about him) the nylon MA-1 bomber has become a favorite of the hip-hop crowd.

Pea coats and duffle coats are associated with a classic nautical style. Their adoption by ivy-leaguers has given the coats a preppy reputation. These wool pieces lend themselves to more formal looks as they resemble a traditional topcoat.

A parka has a rugged, outdoorsy feel to it that says ‘I can survive anything’ – and means it. They’re often worn with flannels and sturdy pants. But the fashion-forward crowd has started rocking them over suits to great success.

Tell me

Do you have a military style jacket in your wardrobe? Which one of the above is your favorite?

Military Jackets: How to Choose and Style the Right One for You

So you want to look sharp at work, but everyone dresses casually, and you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb by dressing too formally.

I hear ya there.

I suggest you go for a smart sharp style—a look that is the perfect balance of casual and formal, while still leaning a biiit more formal. This is the perfect style for a business casual office.

In this article, I’m going to suggest you start by choosing the right shoes, because shoes can make or break any outfit. And, yes, for a biz-cas (new abbreviation alert) dress code, sneakers are great… but not just any ol’ sneaker!

You need a sharp pair of dress sneakers.

Which Sneakers Work Best For… Work?

I’m gonna assume you’re at a desk job. Maybe you’re an engineer, an accountant, a designer, or otherwise in a career where you work in a typical office with a business casual dress code…

Or maybe it’s some business, but mostly casual…

But sometimes it feels like some casual, but partly business?

Here’s the thing man… the typical office dress code is changing.

Is that good or bad? Who knows. I personally think it’s great.

You get a chance to flex a bit of your personal style muscle. At the same time, there’s a chance you may f*ck everything up.

But luckily, you read Effortless Gent 🙂 You want to have a smart sharp style like I suggest, and while your office dress code isn’t super strict, there is a certain level of professionalism you have to maintain because you still want to send the right impression (so board shorts and flip flops are out of the question).

A big part of that are the shoes you choose! Shoes make the man, after all. I’m sure Confucius said that.

So if you want to look sharp and polished while still maintaining that cool, casual, on-trend vibe… here are 3 tips for successfully wearing dress sneakers at work:

Tip #1: Get the right sneakers (my suggestions)

No Chucks, no Nike Killshots, No hypebeasty sneakers like Yeezys or off___whites.

I love all of those sneakers as much as you, but if we’re going for that smart sharp style at work, we gotta downplay our shoe game a bit.

Here’s what you need:

A refined, low top leather sneaker
One with a classic silhouette and shape
A clean, plain toe
minimal stitching or designs on the upper
waxed laces matching the leather

There are a few out there that fit the bill across a variety of price points, but one of the best, from a quality-to-price ratio is concerned, is the Ace Marks Duke dress sneaker.

I ordered a few myself—one in white and the other in a cognac leather. I mentioned to the guys at Ace Marks I was writing this article, and they offered to partner with me on it, so I’m super psyched!

(Just fyi, whenever brands I love partner with me, it gives me the opportunity to continue creating great content for you, for free. So thanks to my guys at Ace Marks, and thanks to you, dear reader, for supporting the brands that make Effortless Gent possible.)

Aaanyway, that was just a little side note so we’re on the same page.

Why is Ace Marks one of the brands I’ve been mentioning for years, other than the fact that they’re good guys with a great product?

Their shoes are fully handcrafted in Italy by a family-owned manufacturer who’s been in the shoe game for 4 generations
You’re getting a full-grain calfskin leather upper and lining (fully leather inside and out)
The removable insoles are also lined with calfskin, perforated for breathability, and feel soft and cushiony
The tongue and collar are padded so your feet feel comfortable even after a full day of walking
The rubber outsoles are stitched on (not glued) and flat waxed laces come standard with each pair

For a comparable level of detail, craftsmanship, quality, and materials, you’d easily be looking at a $400+ sneaker, but AM does the direct-to-consumer thing, so you get it for around $200.

#value #prayerhandsemoji

My suggestions for the best dress sneakers?

The Duke in these colors.

Ace Marks Duke Dress Sneakers in Black Price: $225

Ace Marks Duke Dress Sneakers in Brown Price: $225

Ace Marks Duke Dress Sneakers in White Price: $225

Which dress sneakers are right for you?

White is, of course, the most sneakery—that’s a word, right?—but would be fine for casual-leaning work environments.
Black would be the most formal looking, because it is black, after all.
Brown would be somewhere in the middle, and I’d argue, the most versatile out of the three.

I own all 3 so I got my bases covered (neener neener NEEner), but if you can only get one, I’d suggest the brown.

If you can afford two and you don’t yet have a pair of clean white leather sneaks, I’d go for brown and white.

ALRIGHT! So now that you have the right pair of dress sneakers, let’s move onto tip #2.

Tip #2: Use The High / Low Method

Here’s the idea: You want to balance casual with dressy to give you a smart sharp casual look that skews juuust a bit more on the formal side.

The Duke dress sneaker is a good example of high / low. It’s a sneaker (casual) but the materials and classic silhouette lend it a more formal vibe.

How do you pull off the High / Low Method with the rest of your outfit?

Simple!

If your base outfit is a shirt and pants, make one of them more casual (the Low) and the other, more formal (the High).

So in addition to the Duke dress sneakers in this example, let’s say you want to wear dark denim (Low), go with a crisp dress shirt up top (High).

dark wash denim, white dress shirt, brown dress sneakers

We can flip it here by going with gray wool dress trousers (High), a long sleeve polo (Low) and a waxed jacket (Low).

Need it to be slightly more formal?

Swap the waxed jacket with a sportcoat (High), or if it’s cold and rainy, you can wear the waxed jacket over your sportcoat to keep you dry.

Grey dress trousers, long sleeve polo, waxed jacket, black dress sneakers

See how easy the High / Low method is? When you mix casual and dressy elements in one outfit, you create a smart sharp look that leans a bit more formal, making the outfit office appropriate.

TIP #3: Muted Colors Are Your Friend

Muted colors and subtle patterns lend a more formal, refined vibe to your overall look.

Grey linen pants, white dot shirt, brown dress sneakers

If it’s spring or summer when you’re reading this, you can’t go wrong with your mid grey and pale pastels in combination with your menswear neutrals. For these looks, I typically go with an all-white or cognac leather dress sneaker.

If it’s fall or winter, you have many more shades and tones to work with. See my article about men’s winter fashion; we break down the color and types of clothes you should have in your closet for this time of year.

Caramel chinos, burgundy overcheck shirt, charcoal boucle coat, black dress sneakers

So in addition to the menswear neutrals, you can wear more rich, vibrant tones like deep purple, forest green, burgundy, burnt orange, mustard, and so on.

And as far as the dress sneakers, you can go with any of the three colors I mentioned: all white, cognac, or black.

BONUS TIP: Try a monochrome look that works with all shoes

If you go with a one-color (or shades of one color) outfit, you can wear any of these three shoes and your outfit will work.

Plus, it makes getting dressed easy and you don’t have to worry about if X matches Y, etc.

Check out these three smart, sharp, work-appropriate outfits. First, an all grey look:

Grey trousers, white dress shirt, grey deck jacket, white dress sneakers

Next up, all blue:

Navy chinos, light blue shirt, navy military jacket, brown dress sneakers

Finally, all black everything:

Black jeans, grey casual shirt, black biker jacket, black dress sneakers

And (hopefully you can visualize) more than one shoe will work with each of these outfits. The white sneaks would go with the black and grey outfit. The brown sneaks could work with the grey outfit, and so on.

So if you ever find yourself unsure about matching (although we have a few resources for that), stick to a monochrome look and you can’t go wrong.

Which dress sneakers do you like best?

All white? All black? brown?

Hopefully this article helps you put together awesome smart, sharp, casual outfits for work, especially in those business-casual-but-more-casual-than-business environments 🙂

3 Essential Tips for Wearing Dress Sneakers At Work

Gents, I’m no young buck.

I mean, I do have them Asian genes. So I tend to look younger than most other guys my age.

Still… I’m 35. When I started Effortless Gent in my 20s, I DEFINITELY wasn’t worried about how to look younger, stay healthy, or take care of myself in general.

Now that I’m older, I understand the importance of self-care. And that it’s better to start good habits while you’re young. That way they carry into your life as you get older and have more responsibilities. But even if you’re older and reading this, it’s never too late to start taking care of your body, skin, and health.

Understand these three things, though:

It’s not “gay”, or lame, or stupid, or unmanly to want to look good and take care of your body, your skin, your hair, yourself
It’s never too early to start a basic self-care routine (you’ll build good habits and your older self will thank you)
It’s never too late to start a basic self-care routine, either… even if you’re my age or older!

In this article, I’m giving you 5 super easy, super actionable self-care tips. And not just self-care in the “You should use under-eye cream to remove those dark circles” kinda way, either.

I’m more interested in helping you build good habits and going after the big wins—the seemingly simple stuff that makes a HUGE difference when practiced over weeks, months, and years.

Are these tips simple? Yeah, definitely.
Are they easy? Nope – most of them take effort, persistence, and discipline.
Are they worth it? You bet.

Let’s get into it.

1. Go to the freakin’ doctor

So you’re on this site to read about style tips. But if you’re sickly and something’s wrong with your health, what good is looking stylish and sharp?

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m guilty of not always going to the doctor, even for something as simple as an annual checkup.

It’s kind of a pain in the ass. Doctor’s offices aren’t exactly my favorite place to be. And more often than not, I simply forget to make the appointment.

But obviously, getting a basic checkup really isn’t that difficult. And the minor annoyance of going to a once-a-year appointment is easily eclipsed by the feeling of relief that you’re fully healthy… or, God forbid, if something is wrong, catching it early on.

Look, your health is super important and we only have one life (#yolo). So take the basic steps, at minimum, to ensure you live as long as possible and avoid something bad that could have easily been prevented.

If something doesn’t feel right, or you have a persistent cough or ache that’s stuck around a little too long… just man up and go to the doctor.

That’s right, you’re more manly by seeing a professional, not by ignoring it and hoping it’ll go away on its own.

And, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, you can’t look young and fresh if your insides aren’t right. Know what I mean?

2. Attack the problem before it happens

TL; DR: Be preventative and proactive.

You ever hear this old (supposedly Chinese) proverb?

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

This is similar to tip #1. You want to stay on top of regular checkups in order to catch bad things before they happen (or get worse). Even if you haven’t been doing so, the second best time to start is today.

The same advice applies to physical issues that don’t seem like too big a deal, but still gnaw at you. They drain your mental energy and corrode your self-confidence. Y’know, like hair loss, bad skin, penis problems, all that stuff.

Stuff that guys tend to ignore (or research in private) because we’re too embarrassed to talk about it in public, even with people we trust.

This goes back to overarching idea #1. It’s not lame or stupid to take care of your body, your hair, your skin… to keep up your physical appearance.

Self-care, man! It ain’t just for the ladies.

Here’s an example:

When I first started uploading videos regularly to the Effortless Gent YouTube channel, I got 1 or 2 comments about my hairline, as if I was going bald.

At first, I laughed it off.

“Typical troll YouTube commenters!”, I told myself.

I swear, people can be such dicks sometimes.

But honestly it kept nagging at me. I even asked Kate,

“Wait, am I actually starting to lose my hair? Or is it one of those on-screen things, like how being on camera makes you can look 10 lbs. heavier?”

I’ve been gradually getting more and more gray since my mid-20s, but I don’t mind that too much. My hair FEELS pretty thick. I’m not seeing any baldness. But I do feel like a more-than-normal amount of hair falls out when I shower. So I started to become paranoid haha…

*nervous laughter*

Anyway I’m telling you this because if you’re experiencing the same things when it comes to your hairline, or your skin (maybe you’re in your 30s and still getting acne and you can’t figure out why?), or your wiener (“I’m too young to have ED… right?”), you are not alone.

Please tell me you remember this music video.

There are plenty of easily accessible solutions on the market thanks to the magic of the internet. If you want to stay looking young, and you want to build lasting habits, start by attacking the problem before it happens.

One of these easily-accessible solutions is hims. They’re a men’s wellness company that helps you address the issue you’re facing without feeling all weird or embarrassed about it.

And really, there’s no reason to feel weird or embarrassed in the first place. But I think it’s a natural first reaction since we, as guys, don’t talk about this stuff openly.

So when we experience something out of the ordinary and not good, it’s like, “Damn, am I all alone on this one? Is there someone else who’s also going through this?”

hims has partnered with me for this article so I wanted to give them a shout out (and also let you know, dear reader, because #transparency). But ever since I started thinking twice about those YouTube hair-related comments, I’ve considered hims’ hair kit more seriously.

The Complete Hair Kit from hims (learn more here)

I also thought of the other options currently on the market (like stuff you see at Target) and was like nahhh, I’m good. It’s really different with hims.

For one, those in-store products may have minoxidil, but they don’t contain prescription finasteride, which is more effective than anything you can get off the shelf.

I’m also really drawn to brilliant packaging and marketing (hey, I used to be a graphic designer, and now I’m in men’s fashion, so I care about first impressions and appearance, can you blame me?).

So when it comes to hims vs any other solution, of course I’m going to go with the brand that draws me in, makes me look and feel better, plus delivers a prescription strength hair loss solution directly to my door.

If you’re experiencing hair loss and want to nip it in the bud (do people use that saying still? It’s the first one that came to mind), give hims’ Complete Hair Kit a try.

It’s only $5 for your first month, which is crazy. Why wouldn’t you give it a shot?

The Complete Hair Kit Price: 1st Month: $5 This combination of products covers all the bases. It's the comprehensive answer to questions like "is it me or is my hair thinning?"

Don’t wait until you’re already bald, or experiencing ED, or noticing deep wrinkles in your skin to start doing something about it. Remember, preventative and proactive > everything.

3. Move and lift heavy things

OK, so you’ve locked down that habit #1. Once a year, get a checkup. Done.

#2, you’re determined to attack problems as they arise. Or better yet, take a preventative approach and tackle them before they become problems.

Next, I’d argue that it’s extremely important to get some f’ing exercise.

More specifically, resistance training.

Cardio, yoga, stretching, all that is great… but what builds muscle and bone density is picking up heavy sh*t and putting it back down, repeatedly, a few times a week.

As you (hopefully) know, bone density is a good thing as you get older. So is building and retaining muscle, which is much more difficult to do as you age… all the more reason to resistance train regularly.

I’m no professional powerlifter or bodybuilder, just a guy who prioritizes strength training over every other kind of physical activity.

If you’re a professional athlete playing at the highest levels of your sport, this isn’t directed at you. I’m talking to regular guys like me who work all day and exercise to (hopefully) combat age, weakness, and weight gain.

I know strength training is the best because of a whole lot of reading, as well as plenty of firsthand experience.

I was always a chubby kid growing up, and my senior year of college in 2005, I was 5’9″ and an obese 241 lbs (109 kg), pushed a 40″ waist, and felt incredibly uncomfortable in my own skin.

I finally had a lightbulb moment that summer after graduating college: I couldn’t continue being this fat.

Two things kick-started my weight loss:

drastically changing my diet (eating less food overall) and
doing a TON of cardio

This worked great in the beginning. I easily lost 30 lbs in 3 months, and 50 lbs total throughout the rest of the year.

But, eventually, I plateaued… and honestly, cardio alone got really boring.

I also had NO clue how to work out, nor what I should do, and all I knew was cardio, so… that’s what I did. A lot of it.

But results bring about the desire to continually do better (as well as the fear of backtracking on all that progress). So I researched, read, and learned as much as I could in order to keep the momentum going.

I slowly realized that eating as little as possible and doing endless amounts of cardio wouldn’t give me the body I wanted, unless I wanted a “skinny fat” physique.

Training with heavy weights has been the best, and yet the most challenging, routine I ever adopted. It’s purely about the journey, because there is no final destination.

I’m no Greek god – I’m not even a fitness junkie – and my physique is far from ideal. But I look at weight training as a process, a habit to master, and a skill to hone.

If you build the habit, you become stronger and more capable. Do it long enough and consistently enough, and you avoid becoming a weak, decrepit senior citizen who can’t lift a jug of milk without breaking a hip. I’d say being a strong old person is a win.

Aesthetically, there are benefits to building muscle as well. You look more masculine (V-taper for the win) and clothes drape better on your body.

Again, what good is dressing sharp if you’re uncomfortable in your own skin?

Get into a regular routine of lifting heavy things and putting them back down, and you’ll start to see positive changes in your body composition. I guarantee it.

If you’re not sure where to get started and you want to avoid getting a hernia or snappin’ your sh*t up, I’d begin with Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. Brett from Art of Manliness put together a great series of videos on YouTube with Mark himself, which you can check out here.

For some inspiration:

I always appreciated this piece by Henry Rollins, originally published in Details Magazine in the early 90s, but reposted here on Art of Manliness.
And this article in Men’s Journal is one I come back to at least once a year. It’s a long but great read.

4. Dress sharper than you HAVE to

As we get older, we tend to let ourselves go, little by little.

Demanding work schedules, long commutes, raising little humans… all that stuff gets priority (understandably). We push our own needs to the side.

But listen, if you’re not feeling your best, how can you really bring it with all your other responsibilities and commitments?

You can’t. Because you feel like crap, you look terrible. You have no confidence. You overeat. And now your clothes don’t fit well. And on and on…

This is why it’s important to continue investing in taking care of yourself.

#selfcareyall

Hopefully these ideas have been useful to you. And this one, #4, should be super obvious – but it’s clutch!

You want to dress sharper than you have to. Why?

Because it’s easy to do the bare minimum. It’s the least expected of you. But you’re better than that. So why not blow it outta the water and step your style game up?

If you’ve been reading Effortless Gent for any amount of time, you’ve seen me talk about a Lean Wardrobe. And if you have an LW, then you have versatile pieces that easily mix and match.

You also have clothes that tend more towards smart, sharp casual. So not streetwear or like, hey-i’m-mowing-the-lawn-today-wear, and not dapper-suit-and-tie either… somewhere in the middle.

This is the PERFECT outfit style. You’re always a step or two above the rest of the guys around you, in like 97% of social situations you may find yourself in.

So if the guys around you are in jeans and T-shirts, you can step it up by simply throwing on a well-fitting sport shirt and a sweater (weather permitting). Now you’re already the best dressed guy in the room.

Sure, that’s a simplified example – but you get what I’m saying.

Don’t let yourself get into the habit of, “Oh I’m just going to the store, I’ll just wear these ratty sweats and holey T-shirt with my slides, no big deal.”

NO. Don’t do that.

I’m not saying you have to wear a suit and tie either. But really, how much extra time does it take to throw on a great fitting pair of jeans, a slim, dark T-shirt, and maybe a light bomber or field jacket with some desert boots?

(I dunno, I just made up that outfit on the spot, but I bet you it looks awesome)

Seriously, how much more time will that take? Like maybe 0.3 seconds longer than it takes to throw on something ugly?

Take the time to present yourself well. It’s always worth it. It shows the world you care. And on a weird subliminal level, you feel better about yourself because you’re so well put-together.

People are used to seeing regular Joes, so dress sharp and give them something to look at 😉

5. Tame all that hair

You ever study old dudes’ grooming habits (or lack thereof)?

I’m not sure what it is – and I don’t wanna call out all old dudes because maybe they just DGAF or they have bigger things to worry about – but their eyebrow situation is always so insane.

Like they’re bushy and huge and long and scraggly. What is that?

There’s always lots of hair in and around the nose and ear area. And if there’s any hair left on the face or on top of the head, it’s all over the place.

Again, I dunno, I’m not 75 so I don’t know if I’ll even care at that point (I probably will). But if you’re my age, or maybe 40, or 50, or hell, whatever age you are – if you want to stay looking young and feeling fresh, a simple “hack” would be to just keep all that hair trimmed down.

Get a regular haircut.

Trim your eyebrows. Take your index finger and gently push the hair in the other direction. They’ll be standing up and anything that extends above your index finger, trim it.

If you have a unibrow, pluck it. Keep that area between the two eyebrows hair free.

Trim your nose hair, either with an electric trimmer, or with ear/nose hair scissors. Make sure to use the right tools; scissors that are designed to trim ear and nose hair are smaller and have rounded points so you don’t accidentally stab yourself while grooming.

When it comes to body hair, I have none (Asian genes, y’all). But if I did, I would use a body trimmer and keep my fur to a minimum.

If you have a lot but you’re not in love with it, keep it trimmed. If you’re hairy as hell and you love it, well, keep it I guess. But if it prevents you from looking neat and clean, consider trimming it. If you have a partner and they prefer you trim it, trim it. Gotta keep your spouse / gf / partner happy, knowwutimsayin.

Point is: You don’t want to look like a Chia Pet. Maintaining all that hair shows you pay attention to the little details.

Again, that’s what it’s all about… paying attention to the details, going above and beyond the bare minimum, and self care.

One body, one life. Take care of it, yo!

How to look and feel younger: Make it a habit to take care of yourself

I hope these guidelines, tips, advice, pointers, whatever you want to call them, helped.

It’s easy to let yourself go, or to prioritize other’s needs before your own, especially when other people depend on you. But if you want to be the best you can truly be, you have to carve out a little time in your day to take care of yourself.

Thanks again to hims for partnering with me for this article. If you guys are starting to see a bit of hair loss, don’t procrastinate. Do something about it.

They also can help with several other men’s issues you may be facing, so check out the site for more info.

The Complete Hair Kit Price: 1st Month: $5 This combination of products covers all the bases. It's the comprehensive answer to questions like "is it me or is my hair thinning?"

Photos from Unsplash, except the ones taken by me or hims.

Men: Want to look younger, even as you age? 5 easy, actionable self-care tips

Brown dress shoes in quality leather are a versatile and stylish essential in any man’s wardrobe.

But there are so many options. How can you find a pair that you love, looks great, and fits your budget?

Not all dress shoes are created equal. Just because they’re leather (or resemble leather), doesn’t mean you’re buying the right shoe… or that it’s going to fit the rest of your getup.

Add to that the massive array of options. I dare you to search for “brown leather dress shoes” and not come away overwhelmed. So many brands, colors, styles, and prices… how can you be sure you’re getting a pair that deserves a place in your Lean Wardrobe?

No worries. I’m going to help you find and buy the perfect pair of brown leather dress shoes. Once you understand your options and know what you’re looking for, everything becomes much easier.

First, let’s address one basic question:

Is brown leather better than black leather shoes?

Yes. If you ask me, 99% of the time, I wear some type of brown leather shoe. Why?

Brown is richer, more interesting, and more versatile.
Brown dress shoes can easily be dressed up and down.
Brown shoes go with just about any suiting color you might wear.

Sure, black dress shoes have their place in your wardrobe. But if you’re only going to have one killer pair of dress shoes, they should be brown. And if you wear leather dress shoes daily for work, I’d recommend you get more than one pair in brown.

Now that I’ve got you convinced, let’s move on to picking out the right pair. Here’s what we’ll be covering in this guide to brown dress shoes.

Skip Directly To Sections:

By the end you’ll be a shoe expert and have found the perfect pair of brown dress shoes for your style.

Different Styles of Brown Dress ShoesBack To Top

Hit the shoe store – online or local – and you’re going to find an enormous number of brown dress shoe options. All kinds of shapes and styles, shades and tones, curves and soles.

Which is right for you? Consider two essential factors:

Style – Go with a classic style and you’ll never have to replace your shoes. They’ll always be current and will easily match with your trendier items.
Formality – Semi-formal shoes are most versatile. They fit in a formal outfit but can also be dressed down into a smart casual style.

As we go through some common dress shoe designs, keep in mind these two factors. Don’t get distracted by shoes with great style but a formality that won’t work for your needs.

Let’s compare two of the most common styles of dress shoes: oxfords and bluchers.

Spectrum of Style Formality, dress shoes, effortlessgent

YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE, TOO

How to Mix and Match Casual and Dressy Clothes

Oxford vs. Blucher

The main difference between the oxford (a.k.a. balmoral) and the blucher (a.k.a. derby or buck) is how the vamp is stitched.

With oxfords, the eyelets are stitched underneath the vamp. This creates a more formal look. Bluchers have eyelets stitched on top of the vamp and are considered slightly less formal.

See the following image:

The other major factor that determines the formality of your dress shoes is toe design. A plain toe (like in the oxford above) is more formal than a cap toe (the blucher above).

Less formal still are any shoes with broguing – the decorative patterns of holes on some dress shoes. Originally these were made for aeration when your shoes got wet, but now it’s just for looks.

The rule of brown dress shoe formality goes like this:

Oxford » Blucher
Plain toe » Quarter brogue » Semi brogue » Full brogue

Confused about how casual or formal other clothes are, too? You’ll want to read this post: How to Mix and Match Casual And Dressy Clothes

Ultra formal event? Plain toe oxford is your only choice.

Casual Friday? Bust out the full brogue (or semi, or quarter, whichever you prefer).

Have to choose just one? If you dress in a smart, sharp, casual style, I suggest the semi or full brogue. They’ll go with everything from a navy suit to denim. (More on what to wear with your shoes below.)

Now that you’ve chosen the right style, let’s dive into all your color options.

How to Choose the Right Shade of Brown
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Wondering which shade of brown is best?

To be honest, it’s a matter of preference. But it also can depend on what best matches the rest of your outfit.

Keep in mind that there isn’t one absolute, best color for your shoes (or anything else in life). And one brand’s take on “brown” may be slightly darker or lighter than another’s.

Instead of focusing so much on the specific color of each shoe you consider, think of which shade group it belongs to.

For brown, there are three main groups: light brown, standard brown, and burgundy.

Light Brown

Allen Edmonds Strand in Walnut Calf Price: $425

This shade group includes:

Tan
Cognac
Walnut
Neutral
Bronze

Above is one of my personal favorites, the Allen Edmonds Strand in Walnut Calf. I love it because it goes great with nearly everything – dark denim, charcoal suiting trousers, olive chinos… you get the idea.

All light browns look similar to this, though they can vary slightly. No worries though – it’s hard to go wrong with such an eye-catching shade.

Standard Brown

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Price: $425

This shade group includes:

Burnished Brown
Medium Brown
Dark Brown
Mahogany

Darken things up a bit and you’ve got standard brown leather. This is the Allen Edmonds Park Avenue in Brown Burnished.

Notice how there’s a little dark brown or black in this pair, especially at the toe? Burnished leather gives the shoes an antiqued, buffed, worn-in look with darker shades of brown at the heel and toe. The darker tones add a bit of dimension to the overall shoe color.

It’s a subtle thing – but at EG we’re all about the little details, and I like this one. Even in the world of formal brown dress shoes, you can still find little flourishes of detail that make your shoes stand out.

Burgundy

Allen Edmonds Delray Price: $425

This shade group includes:

Chili
Bordeaux

Burgundy-colored leather looks similar to dark brown, but with hints of red. These colors can vary depending on how the light hits them, making these shades some of the richest and most interesting. This is the Allen Edmonds Delray in Chili.

Burgundy (also known as chili or Bordeaux) shoes offer a nice alternative to standard brown leather. But depending on how picky you are, it may be challenging to match these shades to your pants. Charcoal trousers, dark navy trousers, or muted khaki chinos (not too light) all look great with this color shoe.

Bottom line: Any shade of brown will be versatile enough to work with your wardrobe. Darker shades are more formal while more light and burgundy browns create an eye-catching effect.

Dress Shoe Construction and Materials
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We’ve discussed style and color. Those are factors most guys consider – it’s hard not to since it’s what you immediately notice about a pair of shoes.

Now it’s time to address the shoe’s construction and materials. These are the details you don’t always see, but will definitely notice after years of wear.

Make sure you know enough about the materials and construction of dress shoes to make an informed purchase. Otherwise, you’ll waste money and wind up disappointed. Consider the leather uppers used, the construction of the shoe, and the materials used in the sole.

Leather

There are several grades of leather – from top quality to junk.

When shopping for shoes, you want to make sure you’re closer to the top than the bottom.

Here’s a visual of the difference between types of leather and what the names of common leather grades actually mean.

Shell Cordovan Leather – Made from one specific part of horsehide and produced by just a few manufacturers around the world, shell cordovan leather is expensive and in high demand. Its patina is unmatched and, while you’ll pay a premium for it, you’ll have a pair of luxury dress shoes that will stand out every time you wear them.
Full Grain Leather – Full grain leather is top quality. It comes from smooth, untarnished hides that do not have to be sanded down. As it ages, it takes on a rich patina that makes your shoes look even better.
Top Grain Leather – A bit thinner and easier to work with, top grain leather has a split layer. Any minor imperfections in the hide have been sanded away and the finish leaves it feeling smooth.
Corrected Grain (or Genuine) Leather – The low-quality alternative. It’s still leather, sure. But it’s made from blemished hides that get sanded down and treated with chemicals. It’s then given an artificial grain and stained or dyed to make it look more like a full or top grain leather.
Pebbled Leather – The raised texture you find in some leather goods. It can be used to disguise poorer quality leather. Not all pebbled leather is low quality, however (you can have full grain leather with a pebbled texture)

Want a pair of shoes that will last you a lifetime? Full grain leather is the right choice. It’s more porous than top grain leather, so it better absorbs polish and develops a richer patina. The result is a classic, stylish pair of dress shoes that will always impress.

On a budget? Tempted to go with corrected grain or genuine leather? Resist the urge.

The chemical finish and low quality material means it’s more likely to crease and crack. You’ll spend more on repeatedly replacing cheap shoes than you would investing in one pair of full grain leather dress shoes.

But even the best quality leather is no good if the shoe itself isn’t built for comfort and longevity. That’s why the shoe’s construction matters too.

Construction

There are three common types of shoe construction – Goodyear welting, Blake stitching, and cementing. Each is a different approach to how the leather upper is attached to the sole. Which you choose affects the appearance and durability of your dress shoes.

via Primer Magazine

Goodyear Welting – A leather welt (or strip) is used to stitch together the upper and the outsole. This makes it easy to resole the shoes without damaging them. The insole and outsole are separated by a layer of cork which conforms to your foot over time.
Blake Stitching – The upper is stitched directly to the insole and outsole of the shoe. The look is smooth and streamlined since no leather welt separates the shoe’s components. However, this makes it easier for water to get into the shoe and complicates the resoling process.
Cementing – A cheap, inferior way to make shoes. The cement dries up with time and the shoe’s upper separates from the sole. This method is best used on casual shoes that are not designed to last more than a few years. Note that some cemented dress shoes have decorative stitching to make it seem like a different method was used – don’t be fooled. To make sure the stitching is authentic, check that the bottom and top stitches align.

Both Goodyear welting and Blake stitching have their respective benefits. And both are sturdy methods of construction. Either one will make for a beautiful, long lasting pair of dress shoes that can be re-crafted when necessary.

Sole

The sole of your shoe doesn’t get as much visual attention as the leather upper. But it shouldn’t be overlooked. A quality sole makes every step you take in your dress shoes better.

These are the most common types of soles used in dress shoes, their differences, and how to choose the right kind for your footwear.

The Allen Edmonds Strand in Dainite vs Leather Soles

Leather – Lowest profile, least weather-resistant. Sleek, handsome, and elegant with a good feel and sound. If you want a classic pair of dress shoes, this is your choice.
Dainite – Dainite soles have a lower profile and more polished look than you get from typical rubber soles. They’re a good compromise if you’re going to do a lot of walking around the city in your dress shoes but still need a formal look.
Rubber – Grippy and rugged, yes. Dressy and formal… not so much. Rubber soled dress shoes tend to be thick and protruding – they’re best for shoes designed to withstand the weather and grip any kind of terrain.

Again, go with the best if you want a quality pair of brown dress shoes that will last for a decade (or more). Leather soles are by far the most professional, formal, and classic option for dress shoes. Avoid rubber – it just doesn’t fit in with a handsome shoe.

Brown Leather Dress Shoes: Here’s What To Buy
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At this point you’ve learned all the pertinent details about dress shoes. Now it’s time to choose the right pair for you – the shoes that will take your professional outfit from dull to dapper.

This buying guide is based on all the factors above – the style, construction, and quality that make a pair of brown dress shoes worth your money and worth wearing for years to come.

Think of this guide as a jumping-off point to help you find the right pair. Check out my suggestions to figure out what appeals to you. My hope is that these options help you narrow down your preferences and choose a pair of shoes that work for your style.

But there’s another major factor you can’t forget about…

How Much To Spend On Brown Leather Shoes

Time for some real talk.

If you want long-lasting, quality dress shoes from a reputable brand, expect to spend at least $300 (full price retail). There’s a reason a good shoe costs this much: the quality of the material and the quality of the construction.

Frugal gents, I know this can be hard. But saving a few dollars isn’t worth walking around in a subpar shoe. You won’t be as satisfied with your purchase because:

Cheap leather dress shoes look worse the more you wear them, and
You’ll have to replace cheap shoes more frequently because they fall apart.

If you’re going to fork out $100 for a pair of cheap dress shoes, hold out for a bit longer and save up an extra $200 to get a better pair.

Cheap leather dress shoes don’t age gracefully and look terrible over time. But quality, full-grain leather dress shoes look better as they age and develop a unique patina. Here’s more info on building a patina over time.

Average the cost over the total days you will use this new pair of dress shoes. You’ll find that spending $300 isn’t outlandish, especially since you’ll be able to use these shoes for years, maybe even decades.

But let’s suppose you do have to replace them. A quality pair can be repaired, resoled, and refinished… all for less than buying a new pair of shoes.

Bottom Line: Save money in the long term and get an impressive pair of shoes – by expanding your budget beyond the bargain bin.

EG Recommends These Brown Dress Shoes

If you want one great pair of dress shoes, my top recommendation is Allen Edmonds. I’ve been a fan for a long time – you can’t go wrong.

Looking for something different? Maybe a lower price point? Some other noteworthy brands include Florsheim, Ace Marks, Beckett Simonon, and Johnston & Murphy. Here are a few specific shoes to consider:

Some of the more cheaply-priced dress shoes listed aren’t of the highest quality. What if you simply cannot afford a great pair at this time? Find something that looks good with classic styling and take care of them as much as you can.

Remember: Your wardrobe is an investment. Go classic. And when possible, buy good quality once and wear forever.

Shoes are one of the things I encourage you to spend a bit more on. They tend to last longer and look great throughout the years, assuming you take proper care of them…

How to Care for Your Brown Leather Dress Shoes
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Don’t let your shoes go to waste after all the hard work you put into choosing the right pair. You need to take care of your leather shoes.

Fortunately, this part is easy. A few small purchases and good habits will ensure your dress shoes always look great.

Shoe Trees

Men's Cedar Shoe Trees Price: $49.99

While not in use, your brown dress shoes should be kept flat on their soles, with cedar shoe trees inserted. Do not just throw your beautiful new shoes in the closet. Ever.

Shoe trees are molds of the general form of a foot that help maintain your shoe’s shape. They come in different materials, but cedar is the only one you should consider – it’s great at absorbing moisture and keeping moths away.

Before you buy, remember that shoe trees are not one-size-fits-all. If you buy them too large or too wide, they can stretch and damage your shoe’s leather. If they’re too small or narrow, they won’t provide the necessary support and you’ll risk the shoe losing its form.

Shoe Polish

Kiwi Shoe Care Valet Kit Price:

Polish your dress shoes about once a week (depending on use) to maintain the leather and keep them in top form. If you wear these shoes daily, go over them for a few minutes with a soft cloth to keep them looking smart between polishes.

This simple shoe polish kit is perfect for most guys. It includes everything you need to properly care for your investment-quality dress shoes. Here’s how to use it:

Lift away any dirt or dried mud with a semi-coarse brush.
Select and apply the proper color polish (brown or neutral, depending on the shade of your shoes).
Work the polish into the leather with a softer brush.
Finish by going over each shoe with a soft cloth.

Rotate your shoes

Even shoe trees and regular polishing won’t save your shoes if you never give them a day off. Rotating your shoes lets them dry out and ensures they last longer. Even if you only switch between two pairs of shoes, you can potentially double the lifetime of each.

What to Wear with Brown Leather Dress Shoes
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You’ve got a killer pair of brown dress shoes that you’re taking great care of. But what should you wear them with to look your best?

Good news: brown dress shoes are extremely versatile. They go with just about everything. Here are some examples for both formal and smart casual attire, and more proof that brown shoes are more adaptable than black.

Suiting

Gray/Charcoal – Brown warms up the palette. Dark, rich browns look best.
Navy/Blue – Any shade of brown contrasts beautifully with a navy suit. Lighter tones – tan, cognac, walnut, etc. – stand out well against darker navy but also work with lighter blues.
Tan/Khaki – Any shade will work. For a dressier look, choose shoes one tone darker than your suit.
Black – Here’s one of the few cases where brown won’t work. Yes, some guys will try to pull off brown shoes with a black suit. But in general, it’s a bad idea.

Chinos & Denim

Brown leather dress shoes elevate your smart casual and business casual style. You’ll most likely be wearing chinos or denim in these situations. Brown shoes work well with:

Olive Chinos
Dark Khaki Chinos
Medium Khaki Chinos
Cream Chinos
Dark Denim
White Denim

Mix & Match

These color combinations are just a place to start – not hard and fast rules. In theory, either brown or black shoes can go with any pant color. But what looks best also depends on what shirt you’re wearing (also: what type of shoe, what type of pants, how cool you are, etc.).

YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE, TOO

How To Match Clothes: Quick And Easy Color Combinations

Want to mix it up and get creative? Try this:

If you typically play it safe (i.e. black lace-ups with dark denim and a black button-up), try out your pair of brown wingtips with a lavender shirt.
Swap out that black button up for a dark red / white bengal stripe shirt.
Swap the dark denim for an olive gingham.

Lots of options pair nicely with brown shoes – you owe it to yourself to try them out.

In Summary: Everything You Need To Know About Brown Dress Shoes

Here’s a quick roundup of everything you need to know about brown leather dress shoes – both before you buy and after you’ve chosen the perfect pair:

A shoe’s style, color, and broguing all affect how formal they are and what outfits they’ll look best with.
Full grain leather uppers, leather soles, and Goodyear welting or Blake stitching make for a pair of classic dress shoes that will last for years to come.
Care for your shoes – rotate them out every other day or so, store them with shoe trees, and polish them once each week.
Brown dress shoes go with everything from suits to smart casual attire. If you’re feeling unsure about what to wear them with, match the formality of your shoes to that of your outfit and surroundings.

I hope this guide has helped you find the right pair of brown leather dress shoes.

Make sure they’re quality and always take good care of them. That way you’ll be satisfied with your purchase and can enjoy investment-worthy shoes for years to come.

What are your best tips for choosing brown dress shoes? How about your favorite styles or outfit combinations? Let us know in the comments.

The Ultimate Guide to Buying, Wearing, and Caring for Brown Leather Dress Shoes

You’ve heard it many times: “Quality over quantity”.

It’s always better to invest in a well-made product you can use for years or decades, versus buying something cheap and having to replace it after just a few months because it rips, breaks, or simply looks old and sad.

When it comes to great products we spend our hard-earned money on, we expect them to last a long time.

And nowhere is poor quality more apparent than in a man’s leather briefcase.

LeDaveed’s Slim Leather Briefcase (click photos to enlarge)

Think about it: We take our leather briefcases with us every single day. It’s plopped down on the train floor or thrown in the backseat of our car.

When we’re not paying attention, we bang it up against walls and scratch it grazing the corner of our desk.

We’re constantly zipping and unzipping, pulling out our laptop and important documents, and hastily shoving everything back in at 5pm.

A leather briefcase goes through a lot. It’s one of the things we carry that NEEDS to be well made if we want it to last.

We also want it to look good, not only when we first purchase it, but even as it ages.

In this article, I’m going to show you what to look for in a quality leather briefcase so when you’re ready to buy your next one, you can easily identify what’s worth the money and what isn’t.

Prefer video? See a quality leather briefcase in detail

In case you’re more of a video guy than a reader, I put together a video on Effortless Gent’s YouTube channel all about how to tell if the leather bag you’re buying is high quality.

Check it out below:

A Quality Men’s Leather Briefcase: 4 Key Things To Focus On

To make it easy, these are the 4 key things you want to pay attention to when it comes to identifying a quality leather briefcase (or any leather bag):

With leather bags, you get what you pay for

To some extent, the old adage, “You get what you pay for”, is true.

Not to say you have to spend thousands on a great leather briefcase. In fact, it’s completely possible to buy a quality leather bag for much less, so long as you do your research and know what to look for.

Our friends at LeDaveed have been gracious enough to partner with us for this article, and I couldn’t have asked for a better example of quality leather goods.

I’ve been chatting with Andy, LeDaveed’s founder, for a few months now, and while the brand itself is still relatively new, leatherworking runs in his veins (Andy’s grandfather was also a leatherworker).

The care with which he sources material, designs his products, and oversees production down to the tiniest detail is immediately evident.

LeDaveed Slim Leather Briefcase Price: $485

So, let’s get into it. What should you be looking out for, exactly?

1. Leather quality

TL; DR: You want full-grain leather. Avoid “Genuine Leather”.

In case it wasn’t obvious, not all leather is created equally.

And when a bag doesn’t age nicely (or worse, cracks or flakes at the creases and wear points), it’s most likely because the leather is subpar.

via hestays.com

All you have to understand is that when buying a leather bag, you want to make sure it’s made from full-grain leather.

Essentially, full-grain leather is leather that hasn’t been corrected in any way (other than removal of hair), which allows its unique characteristics and natural markings to show.

Full-grain leather is the highest quality and most expensive part of the hide. It’s also the most durable and longest-lasting type of leather you can source.

Again, you get what you pay for.

Brands that use full-grain leather in their bags will proudly let you know because it is one hallmark of quality.

On the other hand, if you can’t tell, or if brands don’t say so, you can bet they do not use full-grain leather.

You may see the words “Genuine Leather” stamped on a leather bag you were thinking of purchasing. If that’s the case, I’d stay away from it.

Genuine leather (also known as finished split leather) is made from the least durable part of the hide. While technically it is “genuine” leather, it’s among the lowest quality leather you can get, so if you’re looking for long-lasting quality, stay away, because you won’t find it there.

LeDaveed actually developed its own full-grain leather named Nixburg with a leading tannery in Germany: Heinen Leather.

Structured yet supple custom-developed leather.

It’s a beautifully supple leather with a natural pebble texture. At the same time, Nixburg is very durable, lightweight, and waterproof. Pretty much everything you’d want in a leather briefcase.

So just remember, leather quality is #1 when shopping for a good leather briefcase or bag. Full-grain leather only, if you want top notch quality and durability.

2. The Craftsmanship

In short: Where was the leather bag made, and by extension, how was it made?

Let’s just put this out there: Most bags (in fact, most of the consumer goods we buy in general) are made in China.

Nothing necessarily wrong with that, and yes, there are some good factories in China… but it’s more the exception than the norm.

Brands who are proud of where their product is made and how it’s made will be happy to tell you. They probably even say it front and center on their website (or at least on the About page).

The LeDaveed briefcase in these photos is a good example.

I know it’s made in Montreal by Rayata Accessories—one of the last few remaining luxury bag manufacturers in North America—by a team of leatherworkers who’ve been making leather goods for decades.

You might be wondering, why does the factory’s location affect how a leather bag is made?

When products are made abroad in places like China, we don’t know their production standards.

We can’t even be sure the factory you think is making your bag actually is, because many times, they outsource it to some other factory to make… which is crazy.

(By the way, I know this happens because my wife worked in fashion for many years as a designer and product developer for both big and small brands, and this is the kind of shit she had to deal with when working with factories in China.)

Plenty of details can get lost, not only in language translation, but going across time zones and having to speak with multiple representatives at the factory.

When a brand produces their goods locally, yes, it may be more expensive, but they have so much more control over the production and quality of the product. It also allows for the smallest details to not be overlooked.

Closeup of Nixburg leather and hardware detail on the Slim Leather Briefcase.

Using LeDaveed as an example, Andy, the founder, can literally travel a short distance to the factory, Rayata, actually watch the product being made, and give direct input to the leatherworkers.

I should also mention here that LeDaveed is a certified B Corporation, which isn’t an easy certification to acquire. Your company has to meet strict social sustainability, environmental, and accountability standards, as well as be publicly transparent with your assessment. (Patagonia is a fellow B-corp, so LeDaveed is in good company.)

So why does caring about craftsmanship matter for you, exactly?

Well, this ensures that the leather briefcase you’re investing in is ethically made by the actual factory who was contracted to make it.

You know the leatherworkers paid a high level of attention to its overall quality, as well as to every single design and production detail, just as you’d expect.

3. The Hardware

Have you ever bought a bag, and after using it a handful of times, the zipper breaks? Or the clasp mechanism on the strap bends or snaps?

The WORST!

By far, the most common point of failure is the zipper.

It may not be obvious right away, but after a few uses, when the zipper breaks and your bag is rendered useless, you’ll realize the shortcomings of a budget zipper.

This, by the way, is the problem with cheap stuff. It breaks after a handful of uses and you have to replace the whole thing because simply repairing the zipper is cost prohibitive. Replacement costs can sometimes be as much as what you paid for the bag!

If a leather bag seems to be a good deal at a low low price, there’s a good chance:

the leather is subpar, and
the zipper is low quality.

Two names you should be familiar with, and you’ll see them on the zippers themselves: YKK & RiRi.

YKK is a Japanese company mostly known for their zippers. The company itself has been around for 80+ years and is the largest zipper manufacturer in the world.

The zippers themselves are fine (they make different lines, not just one kind). They work and get the job done. It’s the perfect mid-range example with a good price-to-value ratio.

RiRi zippers, on the other hand, are crème de la crème. Top of the line. The BEST.

RiRi two-way zippers on the LeDaveed slim leather briefcase.

They are made in Switzerland with an overall build that’s much more solid compared to other zippers. Their teeth are also more substantial when compared to YKKs of a similar size. They have a nice polished finish and the zip mechanism is smoooooth like butta.

Just to give you an idea, the cost difference between using YKK and RiRi can be as much as 10x.

So if it costs a designer $0.20 to use YKK zippers on a bag, it can cost $2+ per bag to use RiRis. That may not sound like much of a difference, but if you’re producing tens, hundreds, or thousands of bags… $2 adds up!

All this to say, using RiRi is a deliberate choice for bag designers (including LeDaveed), and as the customer, you can rest assured you have the best zippers that will always glide open and closed smoothly with a very slim chance of breaking.

Another important piece of hardware on bags? The rings and clasps, the two pieces of (hopefully) metal that hook together so you have a functioning shoulder strap!

Cheaper leather bags sometimes skimp on this piece of hardware and they use plastic. Even the metal clasps and rings cheaper bags use tend to snap or bend over time.

You can imagine how annoying it is if you use, say, a messenger as your daily work bag. If the cheap hardware gives out and renders your strap useless, you can no longer use your bag because there are no handles!

LeDaveed sources their rings and clasps from ABC Morini of Tuscany, Italy, a global leader in bag hardware. They’re made from a durable zinc alloy that won’t rust.

A bonus: the clasps swivel, so no matter how you hook them on, they’ll always be right side up and your strap won’t twist.

4. The Details

Finally, the little details are where a quality leather briefcase really shines, and if you pay close enough attention, the cream will rise to the top.

I obviously haven’t tried all high-end leather briefcases in the world, but since I’ve been spending time with my LeDaveed bag, I’ll point out what I noticed here:

The zippers are an important detail, of course.

The Riri zippers don’t just glide beautifully, they are also two-way – meaning there are two zipper pullers and either one (or both) can be used to open and close the bag. It’s beautiful, and this allows the bag to be easily closed when full without forcing the zipper along its track.

The size of the teeth. The buttery-smooth feeling when opening and closing the bag. The polished metal. All really beautiful and a pleasure to use.

Interior details of the briefcase. Plenty of room and compartments for the necessities while still remaining slim.

The main compartment opens wide (the zippers go almost all the way down each side), allowing easy access to all your belongings without having to dig through and not being able to see inside.

The two rings that the shoulder strap clasps onto are oriented kitty corner to each other (meaning on opposite ends of the bag, one on each side).

This helps with weight balance when you’re late to work and running to your car or trying to catch the train… it minimizes the slippage, prevents excessive twisting, and keeps things steady.

Comfortable strap with solid hardware and full-grain leather sleeve. Luggage strap on back side.

The strap itself is made from a durable nylon and has a padded full-grain leather shoulder sleeve. It’s always a pain when the shoulder strap hurts and it was nice to see one that was actually comfortable to use.

A premium twill lining—made from organic cotton and recycled water bottles, no less—in a stunning deep hue that’s not only an eye catcher, but also much more durable than cheap scratchy nylon or acetate that usually lines cheaper versions of leather bags.

The button closure for the padded laptop compartment is covered in leather… a nice, luxurious touch.

The durable luggage strap on the back side of the bag, to easily secure your briefcase on top of your roller bag when running through the airport.

Beautiful twill lining, leather tag with edition number, and leather-covered button closure.

A long leather key ring attachment so you never lose your keys.

Pockets and zip compartments of various sizes to help keep the little things organized and within easy reach.

Finally, on the inside tag, a laser-etched edition number, a reminder that each bag is one of a kind.

These are the little details that should be in every luxury, high-end leather briefcase, and if you’re in the market for one, now you know what to look out for!

That’s it! A quick guide to buying a great leather briefcase

I hope this article helps you when investing in a high-end, quality leather bag, so you don’t get caught in the trap of spending $1,000+ on a briefcase with a famous brand name on it without ensuring it’s high quality.

So when you’re ready to upgrade your leather bag to one that will last you years, possibly decades, and be a pleasure to use every day, you know exactly what to look for, and what to avoid.

LeDaveed Slim Leather Briefcase Price: $485

Barron Cuadro

With clocks on every digital interface we encounter, wristwatches may seem pointless. But the best men’s watches are about more than just telling time.

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Let’s talk about what looks best with your skin color.

“Do these colors go together?”

How To Find Colors That Look Good On You

Not sure which colors look best on you?

Dress for your skin tone

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Four Colors That Look Good On Everyone

Did this help you figure out which colors work best for you?

Have you ever wondered what to wear with light brown, tan, or cognac colored leather shoes?

Prefer video?

Pants #1: Dark denim or navy chinos

Pants #2: Medium grey chinos

Pants #3: White jeans

Pants Choice #4: Burgundy / green chinos or cords

Pants Choice #5: Black jeans

Avoid These Pants with Tan Leather Shoes

Avoid medium khaki / tan pants

Avoid light grey pants with loafers

So, tell me…

So you want to know how to match your belt to your outfit.

“Should you match your belt with your pants or shoes?”

BTW, these are the exact belts I wear 99.7% of the time

Matching Your Belt to Your Casual Outfits

How to choose the right belt for your shoes and outfit: 3 Guidelines

The key to always matching your belts, shoes, and outfits perfectly? Understanding menswear neutrals

How to wear belts that are NOT black or brown

What color belt do I wear with…

What color belt with blue shoes?

What color belt with grey pants?

What color belt with white shoes?

What color belt with black pants?

What color belt with gray shoes?

What color belt with blue pants?

Hope this article helps answer all your belt matching questions!

Are you trying to establish a grooming routine or a skin care regimen, but you’re not exactly sure where to start?

Prefer a video unboxing?

What you should know up front about Brickell’s Starter Kit

YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE, TOO

What comes in Brickell’s Starter Kit?

In the first row of bottles, we have:

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On to the first row of tubs:

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Finally, the last row of tubs:

Lift the main panel in the starter kit to find more samples:

Get your Starter Kit from Brickell, free!

Military-inspired menswear has always been prevalent in the fashion scene. Take one look at current style trends – it’s having yet another moment in the spotlight.

Field Jackets

The M-51 Field Jacket

The OG

The Modern Take

The Grail

The M-65 Field Jacket

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How to Choose the Right Shade of Brown
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Dress Shoe Construction and Materials
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